Jace examined Flo curiously as he came closer. Yep, he looked calmer. He really hoped that he would be able to connect with Flo, and so far (if he wasn’t too far off) he was doing a good job.

 [i]Treat them like they would live, not like they would die, Jace.[/i]

Those words. Those soft, caring words. He had forgotten how to feel, but that advice made more sense than most things did. Then he noticed that Flo was trying to stand up in reaction to his outstretched hands. He waved them nervously.

“No, no. I just want to examine you. You look a bit pale.”

Placing his hand on Flo’s forehead, he felt for heat, for vibrations, anything that could give a clue. It did seem like a headache, an awfully bad one. But what was to be expected from an inhuman experiment like that?

[i]They’re just test subjects. Just test subjects. Nothing of value. [/i]

He looked so weak and stressed.

[i]Just Test Subjects. [/i]

“We’ll call you Flo then.”

[i]Test. [/i]

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Flo.”

[i]Subjects. [/i]

Then he glimpsed the gun motion that Flo made. Personally, he was proud that Flo could manage to say so much without the difficulty of speaking backwards, like a few minutes ago. 

[i]Flo..er..Experiment #324 showing promising improvement. [/i]

Now what was he trying to signal? Oh! Suicide? Jace let out a low, nervous laugh.
“Nope. You’re still alive and well. You’ve just been…[i] refined.”

[i]And possibly in a state worse than death, Pal.[/i]

[i]But I guess we’ll be able to see about that later.[/i]

A pressing theory was that Flo’s headaches and stress came from that little…refinement. He really wanted to try it out. But he couldn’t do that too soon. Anyways, he had to get him fit for Common Room.

“Can you describe the pain you feel?”